Newbie first winter storage.

[samourai71]

Well, had to store the 911 for winter : (

1-did an oil and filter change a couple of weeks ago.
2-filled with gas.
3-added stabilizer and let the motor run for 10min.
4-unplugged the battery.
5-pressured the tires to 40.

anything else I should do?

Can I leave the battery connected to the car while using a charger (battery tender plus), so the alarm and the lojack can keep working?

Should I leave the handbreak off?

and finally, what about oil, should I fill it to the max?

any feedback will be appreciated : )

[shrtshck]

I change the oil and filter in the fall, best to do just prior to storage so it sits with minimal contaminants in the oil.
Did you take it for a drive after adding stabl to the fuel tank ?

[shrtshck]

Oh, and I leave the hand brake off

[PorscheNerd]

I've been pondering winter storage a bit, too. Hoping to drive the car at least once or twice a month if it's dry. All of the threads on ethanol are creeping me out. Is it better to keep the tank full or closer to empty with fuel stabilizer?

Also, I've read the nasty posts where mice make a nice home in the fan. Is it bad policy to just start the car and let it idle for 10 minutes? I used to do that with my motos while I shoveled snow, just to keep things circulating, but I could see an argument that short runs might do more damage?

[Drisump]

I put Stabil in the tank, take her for a short drive to mix the contents, put her into the Carcoon (which has a battery tender) and start her say.... five and half months later. Up until now she's always fired up like I drove her the day before. This has been the pattern for five winters. The ethanol question is of some importance however, I try to fill with Chevron 94 before bedtime since around here, it is the only ethanol free fuel that I know of but occasionally I've had to lay her up on ethanol blend....yuck. Cheers

[Reiver]

If you are storing the car for an extended period then you need to jump thru hoops (1+ years)..if for the winter months what you did is more than enough.
I work overseas and usually leave my cars for 6 months at a whack...park, stabil, battery and that's it. Never had an issue.

[Hugh R]

I live in SoCal so no storage. Can't you at least start the car and run it up to temps once a week, even if you don't drive it?

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

I live in SoCal so no storage. Can't you at least start the car and run it up to temps once a week, even if you don't drive it?

Actually, not a good idea for short term storage...just let it sit. 4-5 months is no issue.

[PWilson45]

I routinely store for 5-6 winter months. Air up the tires, fill the tank, disconnect the battery and hook it to a tender. Never had a problem. Some say that stabil does more harm than good.

[Hnichols]

If your car is pre-galvanized, maybe a good idea to park it on a piece of plastic to prevent condensation. And if it has carbs, disconnect the fuel line and let the carb run dry after you park it (prevent varnish deposits). (I do that with my old BMW, I assume same holds for old 911s.)
Maybe steel will or aluminum foil in the tailpipe to discourage mice.

[Fixer]

Originally Posted by samourai71

Well, had to store the 911 for winter : (

1-did an oil and filter change a couple of weeks ago.
2-filled with gas.
3-added stabilizer and let the motor run for 10min.
4-unplugged the battery.
5-pressured the tires to 40.

anything else I should do?

Can I leave the battery connected to the car while using a charger (battery tender plus), so the alarm and the lojack can keep working?

Should I leave the handbreak off?

and finally, what about oil, should I fill it to the max?

any feedback will be appreciated : )

Get the tires off the garage floor (stands), and definitely start and warm up the car once a month.

[Paulporsche]

You can leave the battery connected while using the tender.

BTW I'm not a big fan of ethanol either but I have to say that I've been using Sunoco (now Petrocan) Ultra 94, which has 10% ethanol for 20 years in my engine. I don't know how long it's had ethanol but it seems like it's always been there. AFA I know I haven't had any problems caused by ethanol or water in the fuel. About 3 years ago I took my WUR apart and it was clean as a whistle w/ no sign of corrosion at all.

I've always used Stabil during winter storage. Lately I've switched to the one made for use w/ ethanol fuels.

[samourai71]

Thanks guys for all the feedback, I really appreciate it.

[Mikey83835]

Originally Posted by samourai71

Well, had to store the 911 for winter : (

1-did an oil and filter change a couple of weeks ago.
2-filled with gas.
3-added stabilizer and let the motor run for 10min.
4-unplugged the battery.
5-pressured the tires to 40.

anything else I should do?

I air the tires up to 55-60 psi, supposedly keeps them from flat-spotting, but if 40 psi is enough, perhaps i should re-think that,

Turn the heater knob(s) on (up, closing the doors) keeps mice from building nests in the heater system,

I Don't unplug the battery, but do use a battery tender,

Leave hand brake off,

Car cover on,

Never added stabilizer, no problems yet,

[4495]

Originally Posted by The Fixer

Get the tires off the garage floor (stands), and definitely start and warm up the car once a month.

I was warned away from storing my BMW on stands by two techs that said that the resulting suspension sag was worse than any flat spotting of the tires. Of course a 1988 535is is not a 911 but can anyone address the affects of a hundred or so pounds hanging from each corner of a car for 150+/- days?

Thanks.

[theclaw]

Fresh oil, stabl, wash, disconnect battery, car sits on dollys. I have critters sometimes in my garage (heated to a point) so I like the idea of closing the heater boxes and covering the fan. I hook the battery to a tender. Bought a Ctek tender for both the car and cycle batteries.

[spuggy]

start and warm up the car once a month.

Not what the factory says. My handbook says

Don't heat up the engine in idling. Start at once, however, avoid high speeds or full throttle before the engine has reached its normal operating temperature of about 176F (80C)

Which is what I was told decades ago ; idle is the worst oil flow and pressure conditions possible for a cold motor. And we all know cold-startup is the time of greatest wear right?

Idling air-cooled motors stationary is even worse; they locally overheat (at least, ones without fans do). Oil on my 930 gets hotter in traffic than it does on the track...

I've always wondered why warming up your motor by idling it seems so ingrained/popular in the US.

[NoYouRelax]

What is the greatest concern about winter driving? Is it just salt on the roads or are we talking about proper garage queen care? I am new to this and have a low milieage very clean '83 Targa, but I am inclined to drive it anytime the roads might be dry for exercise of every component and seal. If its just salt, I will scrub the bottom for care. Thoughts or comments welcomed.

[mikesride]

Yeah.....I don't get the whole "start her up" every month during winter. Its -30C here in the winter.....any idea what kind of wear your asking for there??? No Thanks!! Plus I don't disconnect the battery, charger on auto trickle, in the garage, Stabil, wolf "softie" car cover and parked in the cold garage.

[jsaucedo]

anyone use a battery switch? any benefit or drawback to using this?